THREE people have been arrested since August for attempting to smuggle drugs and contraband into the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC).

The most recent arrest, on September 20, took place after the admissions process found a man had concealed a package internally.

The process took place during his arrival at the AMC, following his arrest for unrelated matters. The man surrendered two strips of Buprenorphine that were wrapped in glad wrap.

He is expected to face charges for this incident.

On September 7, a woman was captured on CCTV passing a package to a detainee she was visiting.

The detainee was approached by ACT Corrections staff who retrieved the package, and the woman was subsequently apprehended and charged with taking a prohibited item – a USB – into a correctional facility, driving whilst suspended, and driving as an unaccompanied learner.

In a further incident on August 24, a woman who was subject to unrelated bail conditions at the time, delivered a pair of shoes to a detainee.

ACT Corrections staff searched the shoes and found approximately 20 Buprenorphine strips underneath the sole of the shoes.

The woman was subsequently apprehended and charged with taking a prohibited item into a correctional centre and supplying a drug of dependence.

Inspector Brett Booth says taking a prohibited item into a correctional centre contrary to the ACT Corrections Management Act 2007 carries a fine of up to $1000, imprisonment for one year, or both.

Supplying a drug of dependence carries a fine of up to $5000, imprisonment for five years, or both.

“If you attempt to bring illicit substances or contraband into the AMC, you can expect to see us and you will be arrested and charged accordingly,” says Booth.